Windows 10: EFI system and Recovery partitions on wrong drive (I ran a search)

First of all - I know this has been asked a lot and I've ran a search already.

Here is a picture of disk manager https://i.imgur.com/SeEIxcn.png

Now, I know from search that the problem was that I didn't disconnected my other HDDs while installing OS on my SSD.

And I saw that I can fix it by making an image of my OS and then doing a clear installation and restoring the old image.

But, I wanted to know 2 things:

1. Does it matter if it stays like this? I just did a test - Disconnected my HDD whice contains the EFI partition, and I was still able to boot up my computer normaly to windows.
In that case - Is there any good reason to move the EFI partition\Recovery partition to my OS HDD? What does it even do?

2. Is there any simple way of moving those 2 partitions to my OS drive?
I mean, nothing that involves a clear installation, making an image, etc? How come I cant move it with a command line while in system repair mode?

Thank you very much!

:)

 

Windows 10 install on clean drive created tiny partition with drive letter D

Unless you've partitioned otherwise, C is usually the drive where the Operating System is installed by Default in Windows. D is usually the Recovery Drive, E is usually the DVD drive and F is usually the Flash Drive

If you wish to reclaim space, you may create Recovery DVD or USB and delete the Recovery Image Partition.

Related Thread:

Can't delete extra
"Healthy (Recovery Partition)"s and "Healthy (EFI System Partition)"

 

Windows 10: Unknown System (Z Partition or Disk.

It's displaying no name of the drive in the disk management but there's a partition with same size as that of "Z" drive. And this drive is of EFI system partition. And I get nothing more about it. Two recovery drives are already present.

Please tell what is this Z drive.

 

There are 2 partition schemes which you can use to install Windows.
1 - MBR partition scheme
2 - GPT partition scheme
Your Windows was installed using MBR partition scheme so the 500 MB System Reserved partition (marked as Active) contains the Boot Code (BCD) and the Recovery Tools. It has nothing to do with the EFI and Recovery partitions on the HD, that's why it still boot with the HD disconnected. I guess this is a left over from earlier installation using GPT partition scheme on the HD.

Since these 2 partitions are not used, you can delete them using "diskpart" from admin command prompt.

 

This is a bit of a mess. It looks like you have a legacy bios install on ssd. I assume you originally had a uefi install on hdd. As pc boots without hdd connected, you can simply delete those partitions.



;;

 

Depending how the Windows install media is booted (UEFI or Legacy BIOS) Windows Setup creates either GPT or MBR partition style on the SSD/HDD.





The UEFI option will boot the Windows install media in UEFI mode and Windows Setup will create the GPT partition style automatically. On a GPT disk, Windows Setup will create a Recovery partition, an EFI System partition, a Microsoft Reserved partition (won't show in Disk Management) and a primary Windows partition.





The non-UEFI option will boot the Windows install media in Legacy BIOS mode and Windows Setup will create the MBR partition style automatically. On an MBR disk, Windows Setup will create a System Reserved partition and a primary Windows partition.

 

First of all, thanks for the comment.

Now, I successfuly deleted those 2 partitions with "diskpart".
I had no idea that boot files (BCD) and Recovery Tools was infact stored in the "System Reserved". So thanks for the info.

Second - When I used to install Windows 10 on a regular HDD, I was forced to convert my HDD to GPT.
But when I installed the windows 10 on my new SSD, I guess it allowed me to install it on MBR. How come?

Third - When I installed my current windows 10 on the SSD, I also formetted the previous windows 10 that was on the HDD.
But as you said: "this is a left over from earlier installation using GPT partition scheme".
What can I do next time to avoid it? Run diskpart.exe from windows installaion and make sure I delete all the partitions from that said drive?

Thank you for your time and help.
@cereberus, thank you also for explaining me. @Avocado, you teached me a lot of usefull stuff. Thanks.

 

You do not need to run the diskpart command.

Please read this post for more information.

Post #5, this thread: https://www.tenforums.com/installati...tml#post892097

 

Wow. This is a brilliant tutorial.
Just one question- How do I choose to boot from eaither UEFI or Legacy BIOS?
For example, I put a windows ISO on a flash drive ready to install from boot.
So, in order to go into a specific boot (UEFI or Legacy BIOS), what should I configure exactly?

Thank you again.

P.s - So, in my case, I guess I installed windows on SSD on a MBR table.
Should I have installed it on GPT to get benefits from a UEFI partition style?
And theres probably no way to convert it to GPT without a new installation, right?

 

Yes. If you want to use the GPT partition style, you must boot from the Windows installation media in UEFI mode.

Microsoft: "If you install Windows using the wrong mode, you won’t be able to use the features of that firmware mode without reformatting the drive."

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...dows-10-a.html

Option One: Use Media Creation Tool to create Bootable Windows 10 USB for Legacy BIOS and UEFI
-or-
Option Two: Use "Rufus" to create Bootable Window 10 USB for Legacy BIOS and UEFI

The UEFI firmware settings determines what type of boot devices are available in the boot menu: UEFI, Legacy BIOS (aka CSM), or both types of boot devices.

Source: Microsoft

How do you check that you are using the UEFI mode.

 

Thank you.

Just one more question - Is there any real reason for me to trouble myself and re-install windows in order to gain the UEFI benefits?

 

My advice: If your Windows works fine, do not re-install Windows.

But next time you know what to do.

 

Will do.

Just to make sure so I won't get confused next time:
Basically, I'll have to boot into UEFI mode the next time I install windows.
Then format my drive > Click "New" > Then Apply (like you showed here: https://www.tenforums.com/attachmen...rong-drive-i-ran-search-select-new-button.png )

And then pick "Primary" from the Partition list and click Install.

It will install the windows on GPT scheme?

 

Yes, if your hard disk has four partitions:

- Recovery
- System
- MSR (Reserved)
- Primary

 

Once again, thanks very much!
You have been helpful and very kind, I appreciate it.

Have a good weekend.